Historique
Article de Périodique
Finding cannabinoids in hair does not prove cannabis consumption (2015)
Auteur(s) :
MOOSMANN, B. ;
ROTH, N. ;
AUWARTER, V.
Année
2015
Page(s) :
art. 14906 ; 6 p.
Langue(s) :
Anglais
Refs biblio. :
24
Domaine :
Drogues illicites / Illicit drugs
Discipline :
PRO (Produits, mode d'action, méthode de dépistage / Substances, action mode, screening methods)
Thésaurus mots-clés
TOXICOLOGIE
;
CANNABINOIDES
;
PHANERES
;
CANNABIS
;
DEPISTAGE
;
TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL
Résumé :
ENGLISH:
Hair analysis for cannabinoids is extensively applied in workplace drug testing and in child protection cases, although valid data on incorporation of the main analytical targets, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH), into human hair is widely missing. Furthermore, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A), the biogenetic precursor of THC, is found in the hair of persons who solely handled cannabis material. In the light of the serious consequences of positive test results the mechanisms of drug incorporation into hair urgently need scientific evaluation. Here we show that neither THC nor THCA-A are incorporated into human hair in relevant amounts after systemic uptake. THC-COOH, which is considered an incontestable proof of THC uptake according to the current scientific doctrine, was found in hair, but was also present in older hair segments, which already grew before the oral THC intake and in sebum/sweat samples. Our studies show that all three cannabinoids can be present in hair of non-consuming individuals because of transfer through cannabis consumers, via their hands, their sebum/sweat, or cannabis smoke. This is of concern for e.g. child-custody cases as cannabinoid findings in a child's hair may be caused by close contact to cannabis consumers rather than by inhalation of side-stream smoke.
FRANÇAIS :
Le THC et son métabolite, le THC-COOH, peuvent être présents dans les cheveux de personnes qui n’ont pas consommé de cannabis. Cette nouvelle étude nous indique que le transfert pourrait se faire par le contact des mains, du sébum, de la transpiration ou de la fumée des consommateurs de cannabis. [IACM, 24/10/2015]
Hair analysis for cannabinoids is extensively applied in workplace drug testing and in child protection cases, although valid data on incorporation of the main analytical targets, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH), into human hair is widely missing. Furthermore, Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A), the biogenetic precursor of THC, is found in the hair of persons who solely handled cannabis material. In the light of the serious consequences of positive test results the mechanisms of drug incorporation into hair urgently need scientific evaluation. Here we show that neither THC nor THCA-A are incorporated into human hair in relevant amounts after systemic uptake. THC-COOH, which is considered an incontestable proof of THC uptake according to the current scientific doctrine, was found in hair, but was also present in older hair segments, which already grew before the oral THC intake and in sebum/sweat samples. Our studies show that all three cannabinoids can be present in hair of non-consuming individuals because of transfer through cannabis consumers, via their hands, their sebum/sweat, or cannabis smoke. This is of concern for e.g. child-custody cases as cannabinoid findings in a child's hair may be caused by close contact to cannabis consumers rather than by inhalation of side-stream smoke.
FRANÇAIS :
Le THC et son métabolite, le THC-COOH, peuvent être présents dans les cheveux de personnes qui n’ont pas consommé de cannabis. Cette nouvelle étude nous indique que le transfert pourrait se faire par le contact des mains, du sébum, de la transpiration ou de la fumée des consommateurs de cannabis. [IACM, 24/10/2015]
Affiliation :
Institute of Forensic Medicine, Forensic Toxicology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany